Pentagon restricts press access, demands secrecy pledge from reporters

Washington: The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) has imposed new and stricter restrictions on journalists covering military affairs.

According to a foreign news agency, the Pentagon has issued a directive stating that reporters will now be required to sign affidavits pledging that they will only publish information that has been officially authorized for release. Failure to comply may result in the revocation of their media credentials.

Under the new rules, these restrictions will apply to both classified and “controlled unclassified” information. Additionally, reporters will no longer have free movement within the Pentagon building and will only be allowed access to specific areas when accompanied by an official.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on the social media platform X, "The press doesn’t run the Pentagon — the people do. Journalists must follow the rules or go home."

These measures have drawn strong criticism from US media organizations. The New York Times described the move as another dangerous step toward limiting access to military activities funded by public tax dollars. National Press Club President Mike Balsamo also condemned the restrictions, calling them an “attack on free journalism” and demanded their immediate reversal.